Loading platform



Jan. 28, 1930 R. T. ROMINE LOADING PLATFORM Filed June '7, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet l Hl i l l l I U J Jan. 28, 1930. R. T. ROMINE LOADLNG PLATFORM Filed June 7, 1926 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 7T 1 Guam,

WYQLZ Jan. 28, 1930. R. ROMINE LOADING PLATFORM 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 7, 1926.

z WLQ MMMMM.

Patented Jan. 28, 1930 PATENT; OFFICE ROBERT T. ROMI NE, OF MOUNT CLEMENS, MICHIGAN LOADING rnarroan Application filed June 7,

This invention relates to a loading or stacking platform or apparatus particularly, although not exclusively, adapted for enabling sheet steel to be loaded or stacked at the steel mills, and readily'transported or hauled away by means'of an industrial .truck of the type aving a load elevating platform. An object of thisinve'ntion is to provide 'a stacking platform 'cap'able of sustaining heavy loads, such as ten'tons or more, and adapted to be removed or picked up from its supports by an elevating truck propelled or inserted beneath the latform, wherein the overall width of the platform or pallet 1 is comparable to that of the standard truck lifting platform, thereby permitting it to be hauled into r'estricted'spa'ces.

The invention contemplates in its preferred form the provision of a portable loading or stacking platform which ma be temporarily carried on spaced supports y meansof extensible bars at opposite sides of the platform which are adapted to be removed or normally confined vwithin the area of the" platform.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference-being had' to the accompanying' drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like' reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:- 1 Fig. 1 is an end elevation illustrating the improved apparatus and the manner of delivering and loading metal such as sheet steel.

Fig. 2- is a plan view of the stacking platform and apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a left-hand side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the removable platform itself. V I V Fig. 5 isa side view, partly broken away and in section, of the construction shown in Fig. 4. I

Fig. 6 is an end view of the platform shown in Fig. 4.

Before explaining in detail the present invention, andthe method or mode of oper- Serial No. 114,128.

ation embodied therein, it is to be understood that the, invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawin s, since the invention is capable of other em. odiments and of being practised or carried out in various ways. Also it is to beunderstood that the phraseology or terminolo y employed herein is for the'purpose of descgiption and not of limitag tion, audit is not intendedto limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended or the requirements ofthe prior art.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial 'No; 104-,- 378, filed April 24', 1926 forportable loading pl -tf For the purpose of illustration I have shown the invention in connection with the loading of sheet steel at the steel mill preparatory to delivering and packing the stacks of sheets in freight cars for shipment. It will be understood that any suitable method maybe employed for stacking or piling the sheets on the platform R of this invention. The'stacking may be done by hand or by automatic mechanism, and it will also be understood that the sheets may be stacked flatwise as shown Fig. 1, or may be stacked edgewise in. accordance with the method shown in my co-pending applications Serial No. 118,061, filed June 23,- 1926 and Serial No. 128,396, filed August 10, 1926.

In the present instance for the purposes of illustration, the metal sheets S are carried on a suitable conveyor 110 to the point of delivery, at which point may, be located at the end or side of the conveyor the delivery or stacking apparatus forming this invention. 9

This apparatus comprises a removable platformior pallet R for supporting the pileor stack of sheets or other metal. I

' The stacking platform is so constructed a's to permit very heavy loads, such as ten tons or more to be carried on the platform, and the construction is such as to ermit a load lifting truck of ten ton capacity tobe propelled beneath the platform and between Its supports so as'to lift the same from beneath. The portable platform is constructed so that the upward thrust of the truck platform will be evenly and uniformly distributed between the opposite ends thereof, thus cal flanges 22 and 23 of which form spaced guides for guiding the truck lifting platform L in proper position beneath the pallet. These angle bars 22 and 23 have the horizontal flanges 22 and 23' thereof extendin inwardly toward each other, and supporte thereon are a series of cross members A. spaced apart longitudinally of the platform.

Each cross member A comprises a pair of transverse angle bars 24 and 25 which are positioned to form a channel open at the top, and these angles are secured to the angles 22 and 23. An angle bar 26 is riveted to the vertical flange of each angle 24, and in like manner a corresponding angle 27 is riveted to the outer face of the angle 25. The angles 26 and 27 are inverted so that the horizontal flanges 26 and 27 thereof are uppermost and extend horizontally and outwardly in opposite directions. The angles 24 and 25 of each cross member A are rigidly secured at each end thereof to the bars 22 and 23 by means of steel straps 28. Each strap 28 is bent into inverted U-sha e to embrace opposite upright sides of tiie angle bars 24 and 25, and the ends are bent outwardly at 28 and 28 and riveted to the flange 22 or 23 of the side bars.

It will be seen that a channel or guideway Cis formed between the angles 24, 25, 26 and 27. Located in each channel C is a slide member B which comprises a pair of channel bars 29 and 30 which are positioned back to back and riveted together. Each of these slide bars B is freely slidable Within the guideway or channel C of the cross member. When the platform is not in use the several slide bars B may be shifted so as to be entirel confined within the guideways and within the area of the platform. When it is desired to support the platform R upon spaced upright supports, which are spaced apart a greater distance than the width of the latform, it is merely necessary to extend the ars B so as to rest upon the supports and the bars will be held in position to support the load by virtue of the straps 28.

The stacking platform B may be removably supported upon a pair of parallel spaced siupporting members located adjacent to the elivery end of the conveyor 110. These supports comprise a series of longitudinally spaced fixed uprights or standards 18 and 20, which are preferably in the form of angle irons. Secured to the upper end of the uprights 18 is a lengthwise extending angle bar 19, and secured to the upper end of the uprights 20 at the opposite side of the removable platform is a similar angle bar 21. The horizontal flanges 19 and 21 of these angle bars extend inwardly and form supporting surfaces upon which the extensible bars B of the platform may rest when in extended position.

The sheets S when deposited on the pallet R are guided and positioned in superimposed relation by means of a pair of adjustable spaced vertical guides 41 and 42. These guides are slidingl supported so as to permit them to be shifte into and out of position over the pallet or platform R.

The vertical guides 41 and 42 are in the form of angle bars having forwardly extending flanges between which the sheets S are ositioned and alined. These guides are slidingly mounted upon a pair of lengthwise extending horizontal angle bars 38 and 39 which. are vertically spaced. The upper anle bar 38 is secured at each end to a slide %ar 36, and the lower angle bar 39 in like manner is secured at each end to a corresponding slide bar 37. The bars 38 and 39 are secured together by means of a plate 40 as shown in Fig. 3.

It will be seen that-the four slide bars 36 and 37 which are secured together b parts 38, 39 and 40, form a sliding frame (a? which is shiftable into and out of position over the allet R as shown in full and dotted lines in ig. 1. The pairs of slide bars 36 and 37 at opposite ends of the frame are carried in guideways 35 formed in u right frames E and D at 0p osite ends of t e sliding frame G. Each 0 the upright frames E and D comprises a pair of spaced angles 31 and 32 which are secured together by means of verticallyfispaced straps or bars 33 and 34, and between each adjacent pair of bars 33 and 34 is formed a guideway 35 for one of the slide bars 36hr 37.

Each guide 41 and 42 at its u per end carries a projecting clamp 43 a apted to fit over the vertical flange 38' of the u per angle bar 38. In like manner each gui e 41 and 42 at its lower end carries a similar clamp 44 fitting over the vertical flange 39. The guide bars 41 and 42 may be adjusted along the supporting bars 38 and 39 to the required positions, correspondin to the length of the sheets to be stacke and are releasably secured in adjusted positions to the bars 38 and 39 by means of the wing nuts 45 and 46 which act to tighten the clamps 43 and 44 against the bars.

It will be seen that the several slide bars 36 and 37 of the guide frames G may be re leasably secured v in various adjusted, positions with respect to the platform R by means of bolts or pins 48 and 50 insertable throu h horizontal openings in the frames E and the cross members A of theplatform, so that I the sheets will not bear on these tying devices or binders. When a suitable number of sheets have been stacked against the guides 41 and 42, the angle plates 51 are' placed on the corners of the stack, and the devices 53 and 54 tied around the stack, these devices being connected together at the top of the bundle or stack and tightened against the angle plates 51 as described in a copending application of mine. After the stack has been formed, the platform L of the truck T is run into position beneath the platform R. The

guide frame G is slid rearwardly to clear the pallet R, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and the truck platform is then elevated to lift the platform R from the supports 19 and 21. The supportin bars B may then be removed from the p atform or may be pushed into'the guideways C of the platform so as not to project beyond the edges thereof.

According to the methods which I employ the truck after picking up the platform R from. its supports is run or propelled with its load directly into the freight car through the doorway of the car, such as described in the second of my above mentioned copending applications. When the load or bundles on the stacking platform or pallet is thus brought into the freight car, it is automatically removed from the truck and platform and deposited in position on the floor of the car. A

It will be noted that the inwardly extending horizontal flanges 22* and 23 at the underside of the platform receive the upward thrust of the truck platform when elevated and distribute it uniforml to the several cross members A. The horlzonal'flanges 26" and 27 form anefficient horizontal supporting surface for the finished steel sheets S. v Although-the platform R is of all steel construction, it will be seen however that the weight thereof is reduced to a minimum,

1 while at the same time, the platform is con structed to adequately support very heavy loads ranging from 10 to 15 tons or more.

What I claim is o 1. In a loading apparatus, a platform, upright supports spaced apart a greater distance than the width of said platform, shiftable extensions carried by the platform and 55 adapted to extend laterally over said supare laid across thepallet or ports and rest thereon, whereby said platform maybe elevated between said supports by a liftingdevice.

2 In a loading apparatus, a platform, upright supports spaced apart a greater distance than the width of said platform, said platform having shiftable members adapted to be extended beyond the side or sides thereofto support the platform on said supports in position to permit a lifting truck to be propelled therebeneath and between the sup ports.

3; In a loadingapparatus, a platform, a pair of parallel horizontal supports spaced apart a greater distance than the width of the platform, and slide bars normally confined within the area of said platform and extensible to support the platform on said supports.

.4. In a loading apparatus, a platform, a pair of parallel horizontal supports spaced apart a greater distance than the width of the platform, slide bars normally confined within the area of the platform and extensible to rest on said supports, and a pair of parallel guides beneath the platform for,"

guiding 'a lifting truck into position beneath it.

5. A platform having parallel vertical guides beneath it for a lifting truck and extending along opposite longitudinal edges of the platform, and shiftable means for removably supporting the platform beyond the opposite outer sides of said guides.

6. A loading platform comprising a pair of parallel bars, cross members supported thereon and forming a platform top, said bars comprising depending vertical flanges forming guides for a lifting truck and also comprising inwardly extending horizontal flanges adapted to receive the upward thrust of a lifting truck, and extensible means for removably supporting said platform in p0? sition to permit the lifting truck to be inserted beneath .it.

7. A portable platform comprising a pair of spaced supporting bars, transverse angle members mounted on said bars and spaced to form guideways, said members having oppositely extending horizontal flanges lying in the same plane and forming the supporting surface of the platform, and extension bars slidable in said guideways.

8. A loadin apparatus comprising spaced supports, a p atform having slidable supporting extensions at the opposite sides thereof adapted in extended position to rest supports, a horizontally extending an le bar at the upper end of each support and aving inwardly extending supporting flanges, a removable platform havin shiftable exten- 5 sions at opposite sides t ereof adapted in extended position to rest on said flanges, and a pair of angle bars secured to the bottom of the platform at opposite sides thereof, said bars forming an unobstructed space beneath said extensions to permit the platform to be raised vertically relatively to said supports.

10. In a loading apparatus, the combination of a pair of spaced supports parallel to each other, a platform having shiftable extensions adapted to project over the supports and rest thereon, said platform having spaced guides for a lifting truck parallel to said supports and beneath them.

2 11. A loading apparatus comprising spaced upright supports, a platform of less width than the distance between said supports and having extensible means to permit the platform to be removably carried thereby, and guide means movable into and out of position over said platform for positioning material to be loaded thereon.

12. A platform comprising a pair of spaced longitudinal angle bars, spaced cross members mounted on said bars, a pair of angle bars secured to the opposite sides of each cross member and having oppositely extending horizontal flanges forming a horizontal supporting surface for the load.

13. A platform comprising a pair of spaced longitudinal angle bars, spaced cross members mounted on said bars, a pair of angle bars secured to the opposite sides of each cross member and having oppositely extending horizontal flanges forming a horizontal supporting surface for the load, each pair of angle bars forming therebetween a guideway, and extension bars in said guideways. I

14. A portable platform or pallet comprising a pair 01s aced side bars, a series of transverse mem rs mounted on said side bars, each comprising a pair of structural ba spaced to provide transverse guideways and aving oppositely extending horizontal flanges forming a load-sup orting surface.

In testimony whereof I a x my si nature.

ROBERT T. R0 INE. 

